Why Are Alcoholics Consigned To Hell?

I have a question maybe you can help me with. I’ve asked a number of people over the years and as of yet… I haven’t gotten an answer.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 it is written by Paul under the inspiration of the Spirit of God these words…

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

I’m only wondering about one type of person in this group… the one described as drunkards. The people we say today are alcoholics or have a drinking problem. Our generation is fond of saying that alcoholism is inherited (I agree in that sin is inherited from Adam), that alcoholism is a disease and not a choice that is made (I disagree on that point.).

I’m still trying to find out… what is it about being an alcoholic (A drunk) that excludes a person from heaven?

And just in case you are wondering… yes… I do have people who are close to me with this problem. So yes… there is a personal reason for this question.

Thanks…

UPDATE: Wednesday 5/6/2009

There is no need to make something harder than it ought to be is the conclusion I’ve come to. Bottom line, it is NOT drinking in and of it’s self that results in a person being seperated from God for eternity. It is the condition of the heart that manifests its self in the manners described in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. In other words… a person who calls themself a Christian yet commits adultery must take a serious look at the condition of their soul before God. A person who is greedy yet says they are saved needs to take a serious look at whether or not they are saved. The same goes for homosexuals, liars, fornicators, thieves, etc. It is not that drinking alcohol sends a person to hell, it is the condition of the heart that an addiction to alcohol exposes. This answer may not suit everyone, but it is what I needed.

UPDATE: Friday 3/19/2010

This post was originally written because my dad was a severe alcoholic for several decades. During that time he was a pastor of a baptist church. He passed away on July 10, 2009… thus my inquiry. I hope this helps those who may read this understand my question. I too am a pastor and have struggled with this whole situation for years… hiding it (The fact that my dad was a pastor who was also an alcoholic) from the greatest majority of people including those I served as pastor.

Thank you for your comment. For some inheriting and consigning are different. The result is the same… eternal separation from God. I’ll refine the question for you: How is being a drunkard the same as being a homosexual or committing adultery or being greedy or being a thief?

Here’s another thing that bothers me: Why do so many Christians use this passage to rail on homosexuals but rarely do you see it used regarding alcoholism (Being a drunkard to use Paul’s word). That seems to me to be hypocritical. Just wondering…

Forgive me if my comment was a bit “terse”. I was only trying to focus on the intent of the text.

As to how all these categories come under the same heading, I see that answer implied in the eleventh verse. The righteous (who WILL inherit the kingdom) are no longer classified this way because they have been washed, sanctified and justifed. Those in the list of non-inheritors have not been washed, sancatified, or justified (this includes the drunkards with all the rest).

And remember, these unrighteous ones were the ones that Paul was warning not to go to for judgment. How can they judge? They are already under judgment themselves!

Pastor Ron…wouldn’t one have to classify all these behaviors as taking God’s place? Drunkards, the alcohol becomes the god, Homosexuality and adultery, sex becomes the god, greed, possessions become the god of each of their lives. Just one perspective…

That makes as much sense as anything anyone else has suggested. Maybe I’m too close to a situation with people who are close friends and family… but it is difficult for me to figure out for some odd reason.

Maybe it’s just as simple as saying there are character and conduct issues that flow from a life lived in the flesh just as there are those that walk in the Spirit. And we are not to be deceived in believing one can be a part of the other.